First Day in Sri Lanka

7 September 2005, 5.35am (ST) 3.35am (SRIT)

Dear Journie (dats wad I call my journal..haha),

My day started out with anxiety. I simply can't wait to go to Sri Lanka. It was an emotional downturn for me when my dad last min told me that he can't make it to send me off at the airport. I was a bit dissapointed, but later then I cried because of his touching motivational sms. I love u dad!

At 3.30pm, mum & my siblings accompanied me to the airport. We hailed a cab and we arrived quite early there, which is 10 mins before 4pm. My dear was supportive to send me off too, despite of his work. He took his leave juz for me. However, he came around 5pm. I was a bit nervous cause later on, he'll be alone w mum after my departure. But things go well when they meet up and I hope it goes well after that too. I'm crossing my fingers..

Now where was I??? Oh yah..my trip to Sri Lanka. I checked in my luggage at around 5pm and my backpack weighs 3kg! It was dat heavy. This is my first time taking an airplane and with friends too! I feel so independant and still a bit nervous..haha.

I've checked my boarding time which is at 6.15pm but then Mr Hon Maode or wad we call Mr Mao insist on checking early. By 6pm, I'm in front of the main door. Mum hugged me before I leave which was really emotional for me cause we hardly show physical affection. I've realised then that my mum really loves me & the bond keep getting stronger. I'm glad to have a mum so understanding and one dat can let my bf send me off at d airport..haha! Juz kidding..

My sisters too was feeling sad and I can sense the awkwardness when they salam me. I'm sure I'm gonna miss my family d most and of course not forgetting my dear. When I saw him through glass windows, all my longings and love came residing in my heart. I was thinking: "I'm gonna leave this person for 2 whole wks!! God pls take care of him.."

I'm simply awed by the shops in the departure hall. Its like a mini shopping mall itself. Real damn cool. I can't help to be so amazed. First time wad..There's Delifrance and also The Cocoa Trees; my favourite chocalate shop! And being a super chocoholic, I've bought 8 cute mini chocz.

After that, me & Makchick D wait at gate 32 to board the airplane, together w our team and other 3 teams. I exchanged seats with Hafis to seat together with my Makchick D. We're taking Cathay Pacific for our flight to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Their service was good and they gave me a good impression for a first timer like me. I was given dinner and desserts which is pudding and also Haagen Daaz ice cream! Now that is rich. Not only one small tub of ice cream but 2..Luxury man..

The flight took about 3 hrs. The plane take off at 6.55pm and we arrived in Colombo at 10.05pm (S'pore time ST). Sri Lanka is 2 hrs behind us, so it's around 8.05pm (SRIT). I was delighted to be on ground again. Though, the whole experience on air was awesome. I enjoyed the taking off and d landing most, it's thrilling! The flight was smooth sailing, fortunately for us.

When I'm at Jaya Bandranake airport, I've tried to call home but to no avail. I can't get access, so I borrowed my Makchick D's phone to inform them that I'm safely there. The shops at the airport was not that intriguing though. They're still developing and rebuilding their architecture. Compared to Changi airport, it was beyond rating. I'm not trying to be bias but I'm starting to appreciate more of my so called luxury lifestyle in Singapore..my comfort zone. The shops there sell more of electrical stuffs like iron, kettles etc.

From the airport, we need to take a van to Galle, the town we're staying in. The journey there was like he**! The driver drove as if he owns the road.. so reckless and scary! I tried to contain myself from vomitting. In d end, I managed to sleep my way throughout d journey w d help of d songs inside my new hp..hehe..

We arrived at the guesthouse at 3.30am (ST) or 1.30am (SRIT). I was scared to imagine d life I'm goin 2 have for 2 wks here cause they want us to expect less and uncomfortable living in Sri Lanka. I imagined that the toilet is outside of the house and we need to take water from the well. I've got told that there might be small worms in the water and we need to bathe in that. However, the house was not that bad. It was in fact ok. A 2 storey house with a toilet on each floor. There are beds but with d insides coming out. I rather stick to my sleeping bed. The owner rent us d house with one condition that we need to maintain d place as it is. No furniture spoilt and keep it clean. Though I muz say that, the first time I came in the floor was sticky. We need to do a bit of cleaning up to make the house livable for 2 teams (Karen's team & Mr Mao's team). We divided ouselves, girls sleeping on d 2nd floor and guys on the 1st. There are 2 rooms on the 2nd floor w a so called living room. Karen's team took one of d room and d living room since all of their team members are gals. We took the room w d poster beds. We moved aside d beds so we have enough space to lay out our sleeping beds. 6 of us galz are gonna stay inside dat room.

Now its 2 hrs after I arrived in d guesthouse and I'm still not asleep yet. Well, maybe after (yawn!) writing (yawn!) this down.. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz...